Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James (June 9,[1] 1902 -- October 3, 1969[2]) was an American delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter. Born in Bentonia, Mississippi, he first learned to play guitar from another bluesman from the area, Henry Stuckey. His guitar playing is noted for its dark, minor sound, played in an open D-minor tuning with an intricate fingerpicking technique. James first recorded for Paramount Records in 1931, but these recordings sold poorly due to the Great Depression, and he drifted into obscurity. After a long absence from the public eye, James was "rediscovered" in 1964 by three blues enthusiasts, helping further the blues and folk music revival of the 1950s and early 60s. During this period, James appeared at several folk and blues festivals and gave live concerts around the county, also recording several albums for various record labels. He died in 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His songs have influenced several generations of musicians, being adapted by Kansas Joe McCoy, Robert Johnson, Cream, Deep Purple, Chris Thomas King, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Beck, Big Sugar, and Rory Block.

Lyrics

Hard time's is here An ev'rywhere you go Times are harder Than th'ever been befo'

Um, hm-hm Um-hm Um, hm-hm Um, hm-hm-hm

You know that people They are driftin' from do' to do' But they can't find no heaven I don't care where they go

Um, hm-hm Um-uh-hm Mm-hm-hm Um, hm-hm-hm

People, if I ever can get up Off a-this old hard killin' flo' Lord, I'll never get down This low no mo'

Um, hm-hm-hm Hm, um-hm Hm, hm-hm Hm, hm-hm-hm

Well, you hear me singin' This old lonesome song People, you know these hard times Can't last us so long

Hm, hm-hm Hmm, hmm Hm, hm-hm Hm, hm-hm, oh Lord

You know, you'll say you had money You better be sho' But these hard times gon' kill you Just drive a lonely soul